Celebrities and rich caught up in legal row over Romanian witches

Two self-professed witches have been detained in Romania on blackmail and extortion charges in a high-profile case involving a television star and other public figures.

Police spokesman Christian Ciocan said the two women – who go by the names Melissa and Vanessa – approached public figures promising to help them overcome work or love difficulties and help them break curses.

He said the women initially charged very little, but then, as their victims became hooked on their services, increased their prices.

Mr Ciocan cited one case where the victim – who later identified herself as TV personality Oana Zavoranu – handed over €450,000 in cash and property in exchange for spells. He said the witches used voodoo, and sacrificed animals in graveyards and near rivers, claiming this would protect Ms Zavoranu from her mother and in-laws who had cursed her.

The witches, however, claim Ms Zavoranu is being vengeful because she asked them to cast a spell on her mother that would kill her, but the mother is still alive.

The ex-wife of businessman Cristi Borcea, one of two owners of Romanian football team Dinamo Bucharest, was also cited as a victim, but she has neither confirmed nor denied the case.

Mr Ciocan said if the victims tried to cease payment, the two women would threaten to put a spell on them, or disclose details of their personal lives.

Melissa and Vanessa were released yesterday, following a court ruling that they should not be detained awaiting trial.

Romania has tried to introduce legislation to limit witchcraft. This month, MP Nicolae Paun, who represents the Roma, or Gypsies, in parliament, said legislation must be enacted to stop what he called “backward practices”. Most self-professed witches in Romania are Roma.